EXOTIC BREEDS

Exotic Breeds

1. Friesian-Holstein

• Its dual-purpose breed (meat and milk production)
• These are large framed dairy animals and weigh 400 to 500 kgs
• Black and white spotted markings
• Produce large amount of milk 30- 40litres of milk per day with good management
• Good temperament hence easy to handle.

Figure 1 Holstein cow with a calf

2. Jersey

• They are smaller in size compared to the Friesian/Holstein and their average weight ranges from 300 to 400kg
• Slightly reddish, dark brown or mixed in color
• Have black tail and large udder
• They can on average produce 10 -15kg of milk per day with good management.
• Produce milk with high protein content and is naturally higher in nutrients and vitamins.

Ayrshire

• Red and white color pattern
• Efficient grazer, vigour and efficiency in milk production
• Quite docile hence easy to handle during routine management
• Weighing between 500 to 600 kgs
• When well-managed, it produces an average of 15 to 20kgs of milk per day.

Malawi Zebu dairy crosses

These are as a result of cross breeding with exotic ones with the local Zebu in order to improve milk production. The crosses are graded as halves, three quarters, seven eighths and fifteen sixteenths in that order of superiority. Depending on the grade and with good management these crosses can produce 10 – 20 kgs per day.